New Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino Set To Open In 2013

With recently built properties at Wild Horse Pass and Lone Butte, it was only a matter of time that the Gila River Indian Community would upgrade Vee Quiva casino in Laveen.

That goal came to fruition today when Gila River Casinos broke ground on a new Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino, scheduled to open a year from now.

Gila River Indian Community officials and other dignitaries were on hand to dedicate the project that will translate into 500 construction jobs and more than 300 new full- or part-time jobs once it is complete.

The new Vee Quiva will feature a 70,000 SF casino; more than 900 slot machines; 40 table games, including 20 poker tables; 550 seat bingo hall; a 3-story hotel with 90 rooms that will boast a fitness center, pool and more than 3,000 SF of banquet space; 2 lounges including a premium Players Club Lounge; a variety of dining options including a food court, coffee kiosk, signature restaurant, a dining option that will remain open all day; and 2,800 total parking spaces including a 1,000 space covered parking garage.

The project is expected to cost approximately $135M. Perini Building Corporation is the general contractor and Friedmutter Group of Las Vegas will provide design and architectural services.

“We started the design process by listening to our clients,” said Brad Friedmutter, founder/CEO of project’s architect. “We are proud to be part of this incredible process.”

“Rebuilding Vee Quiva Casino is part of our strategic plan the Gila River Indian Community has set in place to refresh its casinos while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the community and creating new job opportunities in Arizona,” said Anthony Villareal, Sr., Casino Expansion Owners Team Chairman.

Construction is scheduled to begin this summer will take place just south of Vee Quiva Casino’s existing facility. The current casino will remain open and operational during construction until the new Vee Quiva Casino opens in 2013.

“We don’t take any project lightly, and this will be no exception,” said Dick Rizzo, vice chairman of Tutor Perini. “We bring the knowledge of a company that’s 115 years old.”

About Peter Madrid

Peter Madrid has more than 30 years of experience in the newspaper industry as an editor and reporter at USA Today, Kansas City Star, Tucson Citizen and Arizona Republic. He is a graduate of the University of New Mexico.